Well, its much nicer than I thought it was last night! Originally, I thought it was just another poorly struck Heraclius follis. But the portrait was weird, so I wanted to sleep on it and check again. The mintmark cued me in, SCL. The vast majority of Byzantine coins were minted in Constantinople, Theopilus (Antioch) or Alexandria (before it was captured by Arabs). But there was also a significant Byzantine presence in Sicily, where this coin was struck! Coins from Sicily are generally poorly struck, which is why yours look a bit like a Rorschach Test. Its very uncommon, but I can't quite be sure if its 'rare'. Definitely worth at least $60-70. compare with this near match: http://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotviewer.php?LotID=202692&AucID=266&Lot=252 Constantine IV AE follis Sicily, 668-685 helmeted, cuirassed bust facing no legend large M, to left, Heraclius, CX, standing, holding cross on globe, to r. Tiberius II, CX, standing, holding cross on globe Sabatier 1207, Dumbarton Oaks 60
Thanks, there is a comment on the card that says: this coin appears crude as it is overstruck on an earlier Sicilian follis if the means anything more. Also it is darker than in the pictures kinda like a dark chocolate candy bar
When I first looked at it I thought it ws a crude contempry forgery, thanks for cleraring it up as to what it actualy is :high5: Have to say it is quite appealing to look at though LOL
